Water Purification
I have already confessed to being a gadget lover. Some gadgets are
just that, gadgets. But I have just acquired a new “essential item”
that you may want to add to your kit. I still get requests regarding
storing sufficient quantities of water. I don’t need to tell you of the
necessity of having enough water on hand. I can also tell you that
logistically speaking, it is usually not very practical to store that
much water in your closet. The Red Cross (www.redcross.org) and FEMA (www.ready.gov)
suggest that you make storing water a priority. The amounts seem to be
a bit of overkill until you actually have to dip into your supply. If
you are reduced to gathering rainwater off your roof or dipping water
from a creek, then it must be purified. Boiling or adding bleach will
do the trick. Boiling is considered the best method. Bring the water
to a rolling boil for one minute then allow to cool. Unscented
household bleach is typically between 5 and 6 percent chlorine. Cloudy
water should be filtered before boiling or “bleached”. Use ⅛ teaspoon
of bleach per gallon of water and up to ¼ teaspoon if the water is
cloudy or very cold.
I have noticed that several folks who depend on rain water, wells or
springs, use an in-line, ultra-violet filter for purifying their
household water. I won’t try to go into the technical description of
how UV rays work, but they have been in use for purifying water for
nearly 100 years. Ultraviolet filters are simple and effective, capable
of killing 99.99% of germs, parasites and other illness-causing
organisms.
Now
for the gadget. This item is called a steriPEN. It is about the same
size and shape as a regular screwdriver. There are batteries in the
handle and the “blade” portion of the thing is actually an ultra-violet
wand. The one I have came with a water bottle and a built-in filter for
use on cloudy water. Fill a container with water, then simply insert
the wand portion into the water, push the button on the handle and use a
stirring motion while you wait. In less than a minute, the green light
comes on, indicating your water is now safe to drink. Watertight seals
keep moisture away from the electronics. The company claims to be able
to purify 16 oz of water in approximately 48 seconds, while a 32 oz.
container takes roughly 90 seconds. Cost varies from $50.00 up to the
$200.00 range, depending on the model you choose. When’s the last time
you visited a foreign country and felt comfortable drinking their water?
Has your municipality issued a “boil your water” order lately? This
item would be handy for any foreign travel and also whenever you had a
question about your water. I carry mine in my get home bag in the event
something happens and I have to spend unexpected time away from home.
Check it out and see if this is something in which you might want to
invest.
As always send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.
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